Chapter 2 Summary, Analysis, and Study Guide

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Cli wakes up in her apartment, still wearing last night's makeup and clothes, with glitter scattered across her sheets. She finds the gift bag from the party and discovers a small gold jewelry box from Veronica's brand, Shine Inc. Inside is a white gold snake charm with tiny diamond eyes. She considers the possible meanings—whether it's a compliment to her edgy style or a subtle insult—but decides to wear it anyway, choosing a chain from her jewelry tree. As she looks in the mirror, she sees traces of her mother's face in her own reflection, and the reality of her mother's death crashes back in. She remembers she's supposed to go to her father's house today, which means taking New Jersey Transit—a prospect she dreads.

She calls her father, who answers immediately. He tells her that her sisters, Daphne and Leda, are already there and that Amy is making pancakes. Cli asks about the funeral, but her father doesn't answer directly. She feigns emotional distress, letting her voice break, and he offers to drive her instead. She accepts, feeling a twinge of guilt but rationalizing that the train is a nightmare. After hanging up, she does laundry, takes a cold shower, and starts her skincare routine. She thinks about what to wear, noting that she owns many black dresses but none feel right for mourning a mother who didn't believe in death.

Before getting ready, she takes a photo of herself in her bra and the new necklace, tags Veronica and Shine Inc., and posts it to social media with a snake emoji, diamond emoji, and stars. She knows her smile is fake, but she believes no one else will notice. She reflects on a lesson from her mother: the importance of being in complete control of your emotions.

Several hours later, her father arrives and starts cleaning out her fridge, scolding her for having only takeout. They banter about feminism and Daphne's judgmental attitude. Cli packs her suitcase, thinking about how working in fashion has made her obsessed with appearances. Her father carries her heavy suitcase to the car, and they set off for New Jersey. During the drive, they discuss Aunt Helen, her mother's sister, who hates their father. He mentions that Helen and Leda have lunch sometimes, and Cli knows this is true but doesn't confirm it, suspecting a trap. She plays music for him, including some Quiet Riot, and they get stuck in traffic.

When they arrive at her father's house, she sees Leda's Mercedes perfectly parked and Daphne's beat-up Subaru haphazardly in the driveway. She feels a mix of relief and unease, recalling the tension of her childhood between her parents' houses. Amy, her stepmother, greets her at the door with a hug. Amy's scent is comforting, and Cli notes how Amy's style hasn't evolved past 2010, finding it both tragic and endearing. Amy tells her that her sisters are in the sunroom with sangria, and Cli heads there, hoping they left some for her.

Key Events

Cli wakes up hungover and finds a snake charm from Veronica in her gift bag.
She puts the charm on and sees her mother's face in the mirror, remembering her death.
She calls her father and manipulates him into driving her by pretending to be upset.
She posts a selfie wearing the charm on social media, tagging Veronica and Shine Inc.
Her father arrives, cleans out her fridge, and they drive to New Jersey.
During the drive, they discuss Aunt Helen and Leda's secret lunches.
They arrive at her father's house, where Amy greets her and tells her the sisters are in the sunroom with sangria.

Character Development

This chapter deepens our understanding of Cli in several ways. She's clearly still processing her mother's death, but she's also deeply avoidant. She uses the train as an excuse to get her father to drive her, showing a manipulative streak that's rooted in a desire to avoid discomfort. She's also hyper-aware of appearances—her fashion career has made her obsessed with how she's perceived, and she posts a photo that she knows is fake, reflecting her mother's lesson about emotional control.

Her relationship with her father is warm but complicated. She calls him